Pat Shingleton for July 12, 2012

Gaines Garrett, also known as “Big Ron,” was sharing a story concerning some bats in Jay Babb’s belfry. I reprimanded Gaines until he verified the infestation was accurate, and Dr. Eddie Wren was contacted to resolve Jay’s bats. As noted in a previous column, the Journal of Wildlife Management reports in Canada, bats are suffering from wind turbines. Researchers discovered migratory bats in southern Alberta province were killed by decreasing atmospheric pressure caused by blade rotation, affecting the bats’ lungs. University of Calgary researchers report bats fly when turbine speeds are low. To reduce fatalities without compromising energy, blades were slowed on 38 turbines during low-wind periods; during peak wind periods, bats don’t fly. “Big Ron” and Dr. Wren are installing turbines. Fastcast: Showers.